The Port Everglades cruise terminal in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a high volume port attracting a lot of cruise traffic. Cruises depart from here for the Caribbean, the Panama Canal and the Bahamas, and transatlantic cruises use the terminal for ships that sail to Europe. The Port Everglades terminal reports that its busiest season is between November and April. When you arrive by air, your cruise line will help you travel to Port Everglades. If you drive, you can park at the terminal.

Port Everglades Terminal

Port Everglades has 11 cruise terminals which serve millions of passengers per year. The Fort Lauderdale International airport is less than two miles from the cruise port, but travelers will need to allow at least 45 minutes to get from their flight to the cruise ship. Passengers who live within driving distance of Fort Lauderdale might prefer to avoid flying and park at the cruise terminal instead. Both parking garages are well-lighted and patrolled by security personnel.

Before You Arrive

Find out from which terminal your cruise is departing so you can determine which garage -- Northport or Midport -- corresponds with your terminal. Flashing directional signs carrying ship names, departure times and terminal assignments will guide you into Port Everglades and direct you to the appropriate garage, but knowing your garage name in advance will eliminate confusion while you drive. You will be required to pay a daily parking fee, so check with your cruise ship about any discounts or savings you can apply to your parking bill.

Northport Parking Garage

The Northport Parking garage is within close walking distance of all cruise terminals and serves as the parking location for passengers leaving out of Terminals 1, 2 and 4. At time of publication, there were 2,500 spaces available and Port Everglades was making plans to increase the capacity to more than 4,000 spaces. If, as you follow the flashing signs for Northport Parking, you get confused, look for signs directing you to Convention Center parking, which this garage also serves.

Midport Parking Garage

Park in the Midport Parking Garage when your cruise departs from Terminal 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27 or 29. This parking garage is close enough to most terminals to walk, but there is a complimentary shuttle bus that will take you from the garage to Terminals 18 and 29, which are the farthest away. If your cruise is departing from Terminal 18, look for the lot servicing that specific terminal. This is a smaller lot with 600 spaces, so the signs and arrows may not be as obvious.

Parking Fees and Contact Info

At the time of publication, the daily maximum parking fee was $15 per day. For oversized vehicles larger than the average parking space, the maximum daily fee was $19. If parking only to drop someone off or pick someone up, you paid $3 for the first hour, $6 for up to five hours and then $1 per hour after the first five hours until you reached the daily maximum.

For information about parking fee changes, you can contact parking management at 954-468-3680.

Parking for People With Disabilities

The Port Everglades parking garages provide parking spaces reserved for individuals with disabilities. If the vehicle parking in one of those designated spaces has ramps, lifts or other controls used by a driver or passenger who has a disability, the parking fee can be waived. If this applies to you, get the attention of a parking attendant as you are pulling into the parking garage. Your vehicle will be examined and, if you qualify for the parking waiver, a supervisor will sign your ticket to be presented when you leave the garage.

Resources

About the Author

Cari Oleskewicz is a writer and blogger who has contributed to online and print publications including "The Washington Post," "Italian Cooking and Living," "Sasee Magazine" and Pork and Gin. She is based in Tampa, Florida and holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications and journalism from Marist College.